Can ADHD Math Help Really Make a Difference at Home?

Why This Matters: The Math Struggle at Home

Many parents in San Antonio (and beyond) tell me, “I just don’t know how to help my teen with math anymore—especially when they have (insert appropriate neurodivergence here).”

Math can become a major stress point for students with ADHD or autism, not because they can’t understand it—but because the way it’s usually taught doesn’t fit the way their brains work. The good news? You don’t need to be a math expert to help. You just need the right tools.

1. Make Word Problems Personal and Interesting

Instead of generic word problems, try this:

• Turn it into a story based on your teen’s interests (cars, anime, Minecraft, sports) (Herr et. al., 2018).

• Use their favorite characters or scenarios to explain the math (Matinussen et. al., 2025).

• Bonus: It increases dopamine—the brain chemical often lacking in ADHD brains—helping them stay engaged and absorb new concepts.

“One of my students lights up when we turn math problems into Pokémon stories. Suddenly, percentages make sense because they’re helping Pikachu power up.”

2. Use Movement to Make Math Concrete

Many neurodivergent students—especially those with autism—benefit from kinesthetic learning. Try:

• Acting out math problems (literally become the angle, the fraction, or the graph!)

• Using body movements to represent operations or shapes

• Turning abstract concepts into physical experiences (Carpentry is an awesome way to do this!)

“When teaching angles, I have students use their arms to make right, acute, and obtuse angles. They can feel the difference—not just see it.”

3. Give Fidget Tools That Focus, Not Distract

Fidgets aren't a distraction—they’re a support. Especially for ADHD students who need to self-regulate sensory input to focus.

Try:

• Pipe cleaners (great for bending, twisting, and texture)

• Small, quiet tactile tools (spiky balls, putty, soft fabric)

Notice what they respond to. Some students like the texture; others like the movement. Either way, you’re helping them anchor their attention.

“I always keep pipe cleaners on hand. Some students bend them into shapes while we work—they’re more focused, not less.”

4. Build a Math-Friendly Environment at Home

• Minimize distractions: Quiet space, noise-canceling headphones, or soft background music

• Chunk assignments: Break big tasks into small, doable steps

• Celebrate small wins: Neurodivergent teens need more positive feedback, not less

5. Be the Calm in the Math Storm

The most powerful support? Your belief in them (and themselves...really...check out my blog post on the subject). Math anxiety can spiral fast—especially if your child feels “different” or behind.

You don’t have to fix everything. Just be the calm presence that says:
“It’s okay. We’ll figure it out. You’ve got this.”

Call-to-Action

Want help designing a math plan that works with your teen’s brain, not against it?
📅 Book a free consultation for in-person sessions in San Antonio or live online support nationwide.

Sources Cited

Herr, O. E., Gaudino, A., Smith, N. P., & Tamakloe, D. (2018). Investigation of the Interest-Based Method and Mathematical Word Problem Solving Skills among Middle School Students with Learning Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms. Excellence in Education Journal, 7(1), 20-37.

Martinussen, L. J., Riege, A., Richter, J., Briseid, E. M., Maugesten, M., & Reber, R. (2025). Prospective mathematics teachers’ situational interest for word problems. Educational Psychology, 45(4), 377-394.